A newly discovered fossil in China, Austronaga minuta, provides the oldest known example of a reptile with a preserved digestive system.
Key facts
- •The fossil was discovered in Yunnan province, China, in 2023.
- •Austronaga minuta lived approximately 245 million years ago during the Triassic Period.
- •The specimen is 60 centimeters long and is the only known example of its species.
- •The fossil contains visible blood vessels and scales from a fish meal.
- •Austronaga is categorized as an archosaur, distinct from marine reptiles like ichthyosaurs.
A 245-million-year-old marine reptile fossil, discovered in China's Yunnan province in 2023, has been identified as the oldest reptile ever found with an intact digestive system. Named Austronaga minuta, the specimen preserves the stomach, liver, and intestines, along with blood vessels and the remains of a partially digested fish.
By the numbers
Classification and Characteristics
Austronaga minuta dates to the Triassic Period and belongs to the archosaur group, which includes dinosaurs, birds, and crocodiles. The specimen measures 60 centimeters in length. Researchers believe it was an agile swimmer that used its tail for propulsion, flippers for steering, and a long neck to capture prey.
Evolutionary Insights
The fossil reveals that the fundamental structure of the reptilian digestive tract has remained largely unchanged for 245 million years, featuring the straight and simple intestines common in modern predatory reptiles. While the organs are preserved in two dimensions, researchers describe the find as a world treasure due to the clarity of the preservation.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by New Scientist.
